Asbestos
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring minerals that are resistant to heat and corrosion. Asbestos has been used in products, such as insulation for pipes (steam lines for example), floor tiles, building materials, and in vehicle brakes and clutches. Asbestos includes the mineral fibers chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, actinolite and any of these materials that have been chemically treated or altered. Heavy exposures tend to occur in the construction industry and in ship repair, particularly during the removal of asbestos materials due to renovation, repairs, or demolition. Workers are also likely to be exposed during the manufacture of asbestos products (such as textiles, friction products, insulation, and other building materials) and during automotive brake and clutch repair work.
What are the hazards of asbestos?
Asbestos is well recognized as a health hazard and its use is now highly regulated by both OSHA and EPA. Asbestos fibers associated with these health risks are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Breathing asbestos fibers can cause a buildup of scar-like tissue in the lungs called asbestosis and result in loss of lung function that often progresses to disability and death. Asbestos also causes cancer of the lung and other diseases such as mesothelioma of the pleura which is a fatal malignant tumor of the membrane lining the cavity of the lung or stomach. Epidemiologic evidence has increasingly shown that all asbestos fiber types, including the most commonly used form of asbestos, chrysotile, causes mesothelioma in humans
Where Asbestos Hazards May Be Found In The Home
● Some roofing and siding shingles may have asbestos in them.
● Houses built between 1930 and 1950 may have asbestos as insulation.
● Asbestos may be present in textured paint and in patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints. Their use was banned in 1977.
● Older products such as stove-top pads may have some asbestos compounds.
● Walls and floors around wood burning stoves may be protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or cement sheets.
● Asbestos may be found in some vinyl floor tiles and on the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives.
● Hot water and steam pipes in older homes may be coated with an asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape.
● Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets may have asbestos insulation.
Testing For Asbestos
If you fear that materials in your home may contain harmful asbestos fibers, don’t delay. Have your suspect asbestos-containing material tested by our Certified Asbestos Inspectors.
Asbestos Testing Services
Asbestos was used in thousands of products and is still very present today. If you have any concerns over material that could be asbestos containing, we can help.
- Bulk Material Sampling – Testing of any material. Including floor tile, ceiling tiles, textured ceiling, pipe wrap, insulation, and any other material.
- Air Sampling – If you have a concern you have been exposed by a demolition/renovation project, air sampling can find out what is in your air.
- Clearance Sampling – If you have had an abatement project we can provide clearance testing so you can rest easy that everything was done perfectly.
- Lab Report – A detailed lab report from a 3rd party accredited laboratory
- Clearance Documents – Everything you need to show your property is free from hazardous asbestos fibers and back to a safe state.
